Free Republic

Arcadia, Calif. -- Santa Anita has canceled racing indefinitely to re-examine its dirt surface after the deaths of 21 horses in the last two-and-a-half months. Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of The Stronach Group, which owns Santa Anita, told The Associated Press Tuesday that racing won't be held this weekend, when two major races were scheduled: the San Felipe for 3-year-old Kentucky Derby hopefuls and the Santa Anita Handicap for older horses. Ritvo wouldn't speculate on when training and racing would resume. After this weekend, races were to be run again starting March 14 at the storied racetrack slated to...

RACING TO THE BREEDERS' CUP By JOHN PIESEN Former correspondent for New York Post and Daily Racing Form Now I’m nervous. After filing my Breeders’ Cup pix I bought my usual half-dozen dailies at my friendly neighborhood 7-11, turned on some good old-fashioned Yankee-bashing on the radio, and opened my New York Times to the sports pages. I turned right to reporter Joe Drape’s selections, and, much to my chagrin, noticed that not once in eight races that Drape, whom I respect very much, agreed with me. How can this be? How can the high and mighty New York...